These stories are samples pulled from external media sources. They do not represent the views or position of Chelsea Football Club.

Newton on his journey into management

Former Chelsea player and assistant coach Eddie Newton says he made the right decision to leave Stamford Bridge to join Trabzonspor earlier this year after he was appointed manager of the Turkish club on a permanent basis, The Sun reports.

The 48-year-old was delighted to be handed the job after leading Trabzonspo to a 2-0 win over Alanyaspor in the Turkish Cup final as their caretaker manager.

‘I've been working towards becoming a No1 for many years and my CV says everything that needs to be said,’ said Newton, who was an assistant to Roberto Di Matteo when the Blues won the Champions League in 2012.

‘I've shown more than enough now as an assistant and stepping in as a manager for someone to trust me. I've finally got the opportunity so I'd like to realise my dream. The continual frustration of not becoming a number one was difficult to take.

‘It was a big decision to leave Chelsea but the right one. I came over to Turkey and became a caretaker manager within six months. It's been an amazing little period.’

Newton said the Blues remain close to his heart and he expects more to come from Frank Lampard’s side next season.

‘There have been ups and downs but it's been a decent season for Chelsea - qualification for the Champions League and a cup final,’ he said.

‘Frank has done a decent job, he was very forward minded as a player and he wants his teams to attack and be on the front foot.

‘They have been very active in the transfer market preparing for next season to stay ahead of the game. Frank now has more of the players he wants. It's his team to go and build something.’

Clattenburg and Hoddle blast Taylor decision

Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg and ex-England manager Glenn Hoddle have blasted Anthony Taylor’s dismissal of Mateo Kovacic in last weekend’s FA Cup final.

Writing in the Daily Mail, Clattenburg said Chelsea had been ‘wronged’ by Taylor’s decision to send off the Croatian after showing him a second yellow card in the second half.

‘The second yellow shown to Kovacic was poor,’ he said. ‘It was a 50-50 battle for the ball and Granit Xhaka reacted theatrically.

‘Unfortunately, VAR could not correct Taylor because they cannot dispute second yellows — only straight reds. Maybe this showed that VAR should have the power to study second yellows because this clearly had a game-changing impact.’

Speaking on BT Sport as reported by football365.com, Hoddle claimed ‘every ex professional footballer’ would see the decision by the referee as a mistake as Kovacic appeared to make very little contact with Xhaka.

‘To get sent off for that is ridiculous, it really is,’ said the former Chelsea player-manager.

‘To be sent off for that as a second offensive, the first one yes of course, but take a second to look at it. That is where every ex professional footballer knows it is not a second offensive to be sent off.’

Ivorian fans give Drogba big show of support

Didier Drogba was grateful for the strong show of support from football fans in Abidjan when he turned up to submit his candidacy to become president of the Ivory Coast football federation last weekend, The Sun reports.

The Chelsea legend was reportedly mobbed by thousands of adoring fans as he officially entered the race for the election, which takes place on 5 September.

‘Football is everyone's sport, football brings people together, football unites. We can see it today with all these people gathered in front of the headquarters of the Ivorian football federation,’ said Drogba.

‘It's no secret that our football is going badly, and that is why with my team we are committed to contributing to the rebirth of Ivorian football.

‘If my goal was not driven by a deep desire to give back to Ivorian football all that it has given me, to contribute to the development of football in my country, and if God was not in this candidacy, it would be difficult to be in front of you today.’